The Tale of a Mercenary

Chapter 3: Bandit Encampment

"Alright, my friends. Gather round." a tall, heavily armoured figure says as he gathers his companions. The other four humanoid figures all ride their horses towards the armoured figure, "As you all know, the bandits that are based in the quarry are known as the Sunil Killers. There seems to be around one hundred of them."

"Ren, are these the same bandits that we fought up in Pinewood?" says a man nearly as tall as the first man, yet far skinnier. He's wearing a dark blue robe from head to toe, with a slit at the front and back to allow him to ride a horse. The man has pointy ears, light blonde hair, and pale skin. His dark blue eyes seem deep in thought and full of wisdom.

"I do not know for sure, but it may very well be that way. It is too much of a coincidence otherwise." Ren replies, "Now then, as for our plan of attack. Yormix and Yoshuk, you two will take out the lookouts, and then proceed to the eastern side of the quarry. When you see Karlin launch his fireballs at the enemy, you'll start shooting at them until Karlin stops. Make sure to hit the as few of the tents as possible, as the villagers will probably be held hostage in there."

"Aye aye, Captain" a deep voice says from a dark green humanoid lizard, before being approached by the robed man. He sticks his hands up at the lizard-man, as slowly a bright yellow light comes out of them. Karlin then proceeds to do the same to a feminine light green lizard-person.

"Thanks, Karlin." the male lizard, Yormix, nods before disappearing into the forest to do what he was told. Yoshuk also nods her head in appreciation at Karlin, then follows Yormix into the forest. 

"As for you Karlin, you will head to the north of the quarry. When you arrive, launch around five volleys of three fireballs each. The same applies to you about the hostages." Ren continues, "Once that is done, meet up with Yormix and Yoshuk and head to the entrance of the quarry."

"Got it." Karlin heads in the direction that Yormix and Yoshuk went in.

"Right then, Jonas. Let us go." Ren says. Jonas is wearing a thick gambeson, with two swords sheathed on his back. He seems to be in his late forties, wrinkles cover his face, and messy black hair that has spots of grey reaches his shoulders. His blue eyes look at Ren as he nods in confirmation. 

The two of them remount their horses, and head to the entrance of the quarry. Both of them stop just above the slope that heads down into it, looking down at the mass of people and tents. Soon a hail of fire and arrows comes from the north and east, burning and penetrating multiple black-clothed bandits. Ren chuckles to himself as he notices to the west of the quarry two young people slide down the slope, followed by his short companion. 

"Ride now, Jonas!" Ren shouts as he gallops down the slope, unsheathing his greatsword as he rides, his friend right on his heel. The arrows and fire both stop raining down, but it does not stop the screams of pain.

Just when they reach the bottom of the slope, multiple bandits can be seen fleeing from the tents towards them, but stop as they realise they are running to their death. However, this moment of wavering gives an opportunity for Ren and Jonas to gallop past multiple of the bandits, slashing or beheading them whenever possible. In a split second, multiple bandits have been killed. However, more keep pouring out from the tents, and this time with their weapons ready. Some have swords, a few others have spears. There seem to be over twenty of them still alive. 

Ren and Jonas both head back to the entrance of the quarry, dismounting their horses. Jonas unsheathes a second blade, and readies them both in front of him. 

"You take the right, I'll take the left." Ren says as the first few bandits come charging at them. 

The first bandit thrusts his spear towards Ren, but he easily slices the spear in two, bring his sword back and slicing the bandit right through his torso, just in time to bring it around again and thrust his blade into the chest of another bandit. A third one approaches, and blocks Rens sword, but Ren quickly chops off both his hands, leaving the bandit bleeding out on the ground in agony.